TPEs with 60% Postconsumer Recycled Content

A new series of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) from Teknor Apex contain 60% postconsumer recycled (PCR) content. According to Teknor, its Monprene R6 CP-10100 series offers significant added value that helps brands achieve their sustainability goals without any compromise in quality or performance. Major consumer brand owners and processors alike have long trusted Monprene TPEs in many consumer applications from sporting goods and lawn and garden to consumer electronics, appliances and personal care. This latest series enables designers and manufacturers to improve their environmental impact by significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to fossil-based TPEs.

The Monprene R6 CP-10100 series formulations have been optimized for achieving a minimum carbon footprint. For instance, the 70 Shore A grade, Monprene R6 CP-10170, results in a reduction of 36% in CO₂ e/kg TPE versus a fossil-based TPE of similar hardness. Product carbon footprint data is available for the entire Monprene R6 CP-10100 series portfolio of products. The data has been critically reviewed by a third party to ensure compliance. Monprene R6 CP-10100 Series TPEs are RoHS compliant and manufactured at the company’s Germany facility according to the standards of ISO-9001 and ISO 14001.

The key feature of these materials is their high levels of PCR content without sacrificing translucency or color, making them well suited for consumer products applications with specific color requirements. At Teknor Apex, recycled feedstocks are treated like prime raw materials and are subject to quality assurance testing and must meet relevant specifications. The PCR content used in this Monprene series is clean and reliable. The R6 CP-10100 series is available in standard grades from 40 to 70 Shore A and can also be tailored for a customer’s specific requirements. These grades are designed for injection molding applications, including overmolding onto PP. These materials are said to perform and process like prime TPE and are well suited for a variety of consumer goods. This TPE series supports circularity and helps conserve finite resources not only by incorporating recycled feedstock but also because the materials are still fully recyclable at the end of the product’s life.